I could hear scuttling from underneath the trees. Affixed to the rock is a plaque dedicated to the dead. [32], On 12 August 2020, the day before the 80th anniversary of the crash, Michael Wooldridge, a former Minister of the Australian Government, wrote a revelatory story in The Australian. After the war, a memorial cairn was erected at the site. When I first read about this legend, I immediately had a mental image of a man who was killed in the crash but didnt realize he was dead. A pastoralist and accomplished aviator who served with the Royal Flying Corps during World War I, Fairbairn was elected to Federal Parliament in 1933 and became Minister for Civil Aviation and Vice-President of the Executive Council in 1939. This 3km loop through the Fairbairn Pine plantation outside of Canberra is a nice trip through dense pine forest with a unique stop along the way at the Air Disaster Memorial. At 8.47 a.m. he and three crew members left RAAF Laverton for Essendon Airport. Even though the plane practically pancaked onto the ground, many people suggested the crash would have been survivable for many had it not immediately burst into flames. Thememorial itself embodied sadness, the inscription and the names discerned by the feeble light of my torch. I pick it up perhaps I can throw it in self-defence. The same car was spotted speeding past the Canberra airport towards Queanbeyan about 10-15 minutes later. Are they deluded or deranged? After impact, both planes began to fall toward earth. War historian and MHR for Henty During the 1970s some residents complained regularly that freshly made beds would be found rumpled and the room strewn with pillows. Lieutenant - Colonel Francis Thornthwaite, D. S. O., M. C. Flight Lieutenant Robert Edward Hitchcock, R. A. On 9 August, the station administrative officer at RAAF Laverton received instructions to prepare a flight to Canberra on 13 August, to be reserved for James Fairbairn, the air and civil aviation minister. Despite crime scene photography being used in Australia since the 1920s, no photographs were taken of the location of the bodies before they were removed from the wreckage. Ohh and is this near the paintball field? Extract taken from A Case for Ghosts by JG Montgomery (Ginninderra Press 2012). On Monday, September 25, 1978, San Diego was overcome by catastrophe. Unfortunately, the torch I had was a feeble, wind-up model and cast little light. An account of his comments appears in the book Air Crash vol. The wreckage was first spotted many hours later by Henry and Palen Hudgin, brothers who flew short taxi flights for Grand Canyon Airlines. The Air Disaster Memorial is important for commemorating the location of the 1940 plane crash that killed ten people, including three Commonwealth Ministers and the Chief of the General staff. Affixed to the rock is a plaque dedicated to the dead. Music, festivals, charity events - everything thats happening in the Canberra region. Wooldridge discussed the matter with White early in his tenure as a politician, and said that White kept the secret for 50 years, and he did for another 30 years.[33]. Individually, and as a group, these people are significant figures in . The fatalities included several members of Robert Menzies ministry who were flying to Canberra for an important war cabinet meeting. I think the fact that it is locked up now is due to the fact that the ADF firing range is next door. Thick cloud cover blocks out any light provided by the near new moon. Youre correct. Just great! On top of that, there are regular sightings of a young girl flitting through the gardens or standing on the veranda of the rubble stone cottage. [7] Fairbairn invited three other senior officials to join him on the flight Geoffrey Street, Minister for the Army; Henry Gullett, Minister for Information, and General Brudenell White, Chief of the General Staff. Am I being followed? Who she is, or was no-one seems to know although she is in no way attached to disaster of the crashed Hudson bomber. Here is his chilling account. Vice - President of the Executive Council, The Honourable James Valentine Fairbairn However, during the inquest hearings rumors began circulating that the Air Minister, James Fairbairn was overheard saying that he was hoping to get a chance to fly the plane during this short trip. Inquiry into air disaster at Canberra 1940 A461, AN314/1/1 Air tragedy at Canberra - General representations 1940 A461 . If you arent occasionally spooked, I reckon you have no imagination. The cause of death listed on the death certificates is exactly the same for all of the men: Fractured Skulls. Is it a ghost? Interestingly enough, people have reported seeing a young woman standing near the edge of the clearing at the Canberra Disaster Memorial. The Air Disaster Memorial Walk is a 2.8km return walk on forest roads from the entrance gate to Fairbairn Pines on Fairbairn Avenue. Elford, who had a good knowledge of aeronautics, was Fairbairn's private secretary. Lieutenant Colonel Francis Thornthwaite, Staff Officer to General White. I dont think I've View, Great work, looking forward to seeing the progress. Expert strata, facilitiesand building management services. Later on when they had reached the top of the hill they saw her again sitting on the ground crying. Sarah Collins you will have to make a special trip to the north side so we can go!!! Vandalism or public liability perhaps? I sit on a stump to contemplate what a terrible sight must have greeted the first rescue crews to reach the burning wreckage. But it is. Indeed, many people have reported the same supernatural occurrence happening at a specific place over a number of years thus legitimising their experiences, even though they have had no contact with others who may have seen, or heard, or experienced the same thing. Air France Flight 4590 The . View, Emily Jayne I was about to tag you ! And yet, probably the most interesting, and disturbing is the story of Keren Rowland, a 20 year old girl who was murdered in 1971 and whose decomposing body was later found close to the memorial itself. The man who was supposed to be flying the plane and the man who was blamed for the crash was Robert E. Hitchcock. Copyright 2023 Region Group Pty Ltd ABN 85 168 887 232. Your one-stop destination for the latest Capital region property and real estate news. Help using this website - Accessibility statement, Hotel brand's first Australian property restores historic Sydney building, Bangkok hotel chain's stunning French Riviera debut, Like hotel rooms in the sky: Qantas unveils new first-class cabins, Two of the world's most luxurious ships are heading to Australia, 'Overdue': Unhappy Qantas frequent flyers welcome lounge upgrades, Cheap flights as Bonza launches its first major city route, Passenger anger as airlines seat families, couples apart on long-haul flights, Australia's most stylish farm stay is now taking bookings, 78-year-old woman who allegedly bit crew among passengers arrested over holidays, The security issue catching out Australian travellers overseas, New cruise ship aims to raise the bar on at-sea dining, Australia's newest reimagined '80s motel is on the Great Ocean Road. Business and technology stories from the Canberra region. I quickly left, having proved my courage to myself. The weather was sunny and clear, and people had remarked earlier that morning that it was a perfect day for flying. Australian War Memorial I went up there with Tim the Yowie man while I was researching my book. And yet, there are still cases that defy explanation. Suddenly, I hear a rustle behind me. I once did a big burnout there. Of course, this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever as no nurse died in the rescue attempt and as far as I can ascertain, no WWII nurse has ever died on Mount Ainslie. Air Disaster Memorial [Ghost Strikes Again] 30 September 2009 | Panhead Join the conversation 16 Trekked out there a few nights ago and were victims of the car stalling and rolling forward experience. On leaving I could see and hear kangaroos jumping ahead and behind me. All rights reserved. By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's, Exhibition Gallery, National Library of Australia (Parkes Place -Canberra ACT 2600), Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra, National Museum of Australia Lawson Crescent Acton, ACT 2601, Grass fire sparked near Majura Firing Range, Two people killed in highway crash near Gunning, Man accused of breaking the law one hour after receiving bail, Amaroo man refused bail over allegedly collecting 500,000 files of child abuse, All aboard? Love your home every day with quality products from Monaro Screens. On the approach to the RAAF airbase at Fairbairn, it lost altitude and crashed through the eucalypt trees into the top of the hill. Her car was found the following day on the side of Parkes Way road with no gas. Is it too soon to get excited about the 2023 Brumbies? Live music. A night at the Kurrajong may result in a terrific sleep or, if the late Ben Chifley is up to his usual antics, you may not sleep at all. AIR DISASTER MEMORIAL The haunting: On August 13, 1940, a Lockheed Hudson bomber plummeted into this hill, burst into flames, sadly killing all 10 people on board. If Monument Australia is useful to you, please make a donation to keep this historical and educational resource available. The Outcome MattersNext Level DentistryNext Level Outcomes, Trekked out there a few nights ago and were victims of the car stalling and rolling forward experience. An officer in the Australian Army from 1910, Thornthwaite was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross for his service during World War I. "Anthonie Tonnon Unveils Single 'Lockheed Bomber', National Archives of Australia Fact Sheet 142, National Archive of Australia search for Fairbairn Memorial, National Museum of Australia propeller blade exhibit, Transcript of interview on ABC Stateline Canberra, 22 June 2007, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1940_Canberra_air_disaster&oldid=1124291869, Flight Lieutenant Robert Edward Hitchcock, This page was last edited on 28 November 2022, at 06:06. I soon reach another locked gate. Canberras annual Craft Beer & Cider Festival keeps coming back bigger and better, with 2023 being no exception. A journalist until his enlistment in 1916, Gullett became Australia's official war correspondent for the AIF in Palestine in 1918. Delete if not allowed. [12], The Perth Daily News reported: "The plane was seen by watchers at the Canberra Aerodrome and the Air Force station to circle the drome, and then rise and head south. The Air Disaster Memorial is dedicated to the memory of those who died when an RAAF Lockheed Hudson aircraft crashed on this site on 13th August 1940. . Music: Thunderstorm - Hanu DixitLove what I do? There are HEAPS of live music events, large View. As if the strange lights werent creepy enough, there are reports of a ghostly figure dashing across the road, sometimes shrouded in flames. Get free shore excursions, beverages and shipboard credit with Oceania Cruises, Get $1500 in bonus value on Fiji island escape, Get $450 in bonus value on Fraser Island holiday, See Vivid Sydney and get a $600 bonus on your stay. The splat of the paintball guns and the hollers of the revellers seem distinctly out-of-place. It changed him from sceptic to true believer in an instant. 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